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Hi, I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. First chemo session last week. My question is, is there anyone who can advise on health insurance other than the insurance company? I have been public so far and it has been excellent. I have private insurance but I don’t really understand how it works and when I rang the insurer, they were very vague in answering my questions. I wanted to know if I was covered to be treated privately and they kept coming out with things like- well you can choose to see your consultant privately in the public hospital. After much pressing (and I tears) they said I was covered). I am happy to go public but not if it gets my insurance company off the hook and ends up costing the tax payer! I just want clear answers. I find it disgraceful that they were not more straight with me! When I went for my first breast check I clicked the “have insurance” box and just assumed whatever cover I had would kick in! Obviously not. I am wrecked from chemo but this is niggling at me. Any advice? Thanks

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing ok. I had a lumpectomy in November. Everything went well and I am progressing through treatment. Just completed 20 sessions of radiotherapy. My main problem is infections in the breast! Had a bad infection over Christmas - 6 weeks after surgery. Second infection in February during radiotherapy! And now into my third infection. Strong antibiotics each time! Finding recovery very difficult with all these infections! And I’m wondering how many more I’ll encounter! Has anyone else experience of post-op infections please? Thanks for any info.

My father is stage 4 Prostate cancer but doing very well on hormone treatment. However he as at least one bout of diarrhoea a day - fi you know what is causing this and do you have any suggestions for what he might do to alleviate it. Thank you for your time, Jean

Hi I am just wondering ,I have done 5/6 chemos (wasn’t given last as side effects were too much) had my first herceptin injection on Tuesday ,which was day after lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy . My question is can herceptin cause oral thrush? I suffered dreadfully with it during chemo and have it again now . Any advise greatly appreciated .

I am due to have a mastectomy next week, and have been given the option of a DIEP bipedicle flap reconstruction. I ride horses for my sport and hobby and it is an important part of my life. I have been advised by the plastic surgeon that my stomach muscles will be weakened by the surgery as they cut through them to perform this surgery. My concern is whether I will be strong enough to continue riding after the surgery. If I can ride, even after several months off, then this is ok. It's the long term that i'm concerned about. Unfortunately the surgeon cannot advise on this, so I was hoping that someone on this group may have had the same procedure done & that they can let me know how they are physically since. Thank you, Olivia

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has bought or had a bracelet made up to alert medical teams. I would like to get something as following node removal, my right arm is now compromised and should never be used for blood pressure or for taking bloods etc...Thanks

Hi I am a 27 year old woman. I recently found thickening on the top of my breast a few really hard tiny bumps near my arm pit swollen collar bone blue vein sticking out around nipple dip/flattening near armpit which seems more pronounced then the other side I had a small lump on the same side 4 years ago but no mammogram was done all symptoms are on the same side I have absolutely no pain or discharge My grandmother and her grand mother had breast cancer so somewhat of a family history, I went to my GP 15 days ago and they referred me to the Mater breast clinic as urgent. I know pre Covid urgent cases will be seen within two weeks and now it 4-6 . I literally feel like my world has been turned upside down. the feelings I have are totally debilitating. Does anyone know if my age will have an impact on the waiting time for me? I already am finding it extremely hard to cope with the fact it may be a 4-6 week wait. I am trying to convince myself it's nothing serious but with my collection of symptoms I just have a gut feeling. I just feel so overwhelmed right now - whatever it is could be getting worse and I am doing nothing about it.

Hello I was diagnosed before Xmas with papillary thyroid cancer I had the lump removed which was 5.8 cm and left lobe after biopsy came back as papillary cancer . I had the rest of my thyroid removed last Thursday the 3rd March that has now gone for biopsy. I am just wondering can this biopsy come back as a different cancer ? I am very confused with it all and have to wait 2 wks for results. I’m 40 yrs of age and have young kids so I’m stressing over this . I have been told I will prob need rai therapy but have to wait on these results . Any information will be great full . Regards Sonya .

Hi, I've rang the Colposcopy Clinic and my recent smear is clear and I'm being discharged. I've to receive my letter in the coming days. I'm delighted but I've pelvic discomfort today, and on and off, in the last few weeks since my smear. I wonder should I go for a private smear to be 100% sure? Does anyone know where this can be done outside of Dublin?

I have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I have to have a mastectomy, I am thinking of having reconstruction on the same day. Has anyone done this? What was your experience?